Bhairav Kunda is a holy lake deep in the Himalayas and close to the Tibetan border. Visited by Hindu and Buddhist pilgrims who come to pay homage and bathe there during every Bhadra (August) full moon, it is a spiritual trek where you visit largely untouched traditional villages in a spectacular Himalayan landscape.
Off the beaten track, you have views across into Tibet. You follow what was once an old trade route between Nepal and Tibet to the Tibetan Border passing many small villages inhabited by mainly Gurungs, Newar and Sherpa people. You trek through thick alpine forests of rhododendron and oak where if you are very lucky, you might spot a rare Red Panda, snow leopard, or Himalayan black bear. Along the way you have good views of Dorje Lakpa (6966m), Madiya (6257m), and Phurbi Ghhyachu (6637m) in the Jugal Himal range
Trek grade: This is a grade 3 trek as you climb up to 4300m. However, the days of walking are not long, typically less than 5 hours and mostly under 3000m.
Days | Activity |
---|---|
Day 1 | Arrive in Kathmandu |
Day 2 | Kathmandu sightseeing |
Day 3 | Drive to Borderlands (1900m, 3-4 hours) |
Day 4 | Trek to Duganagadi Fortress (2400m, 3 hrs) |
Day 5 | Trek to Gyasosakh (2900m, 4-5 hrs) |
Day 6 | Trek to Phunboche Dada (3800m, 5 hrs) |
Day 7 | Trek to Bhairav Kunda Lake (4300m, 2-3 hrs) |
Day 8 | Trek to Chagam (2200m, 5 hrs) |
Day 9 | Trek to Listi (2180m, 4 hrs) |
Day 10 | Trek to Borderlands (1900m, 5 hrs) |
Day 11 | Drive to Kathmandu (3-4 hrs) |
Day 12 | Departure |
Trekking: Additional information
Please note that the published itinerary can only be a statement of intent and should be used as a guide only. Each day may vary due to the walking times of the group, camping and trail cond
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Arrive in Kathmandu
Your first impression of arriving at Tribhuvan International Airport is an experience in itself. But don’t be worried by the apparent confusion as your airport representative will be waiting to welcome you with your name written on a placard. Depending on traffic, you will be at your hotel within 20 minutes or so.
Kathmandu sightseeing
The day is spent visiting some of the major World Heritage Sites of Kathmandu. More…
You will have plenty of time in the afternoon to prepare for your trek and check that you have everything you need. You might want to visit Thamel, the tourist hub of Nepal, where you can easily find all you need for trekking. Or if you just want to relax, there are many cafes and bakeries serving excellent local tea and coffee. It is best to avoid the street food, however, unless you have a very strong stomach. It is recommended that you have an early night as you will have an early start in the morning.
Drive to Borderlands (1900m, 3-4 hours)
You are driven from Kathmandu to The Borderland Riverside Resort, not far from the Tibetan border. Relax in hammocks listening to the sound of the Bhote Kosi river rushing by. This peaceful resort is the perfect place to unwind.
Trek to Duganagadi Fortress (2400m, 3 hrs)
After a leisurely start to the day, after lunch, you take a 25-minute bus ride to the Larcha suspension bridge and start your trek. From here your trail passes a number of small Buddhist villages, past kittens and homes of Sherpa people. This historic trail was once the old trade route between Nepal and Tibet. You hike for about three hours to reach the Duganagadi Fortress, a maze of crumbling walls strategically situated on a plateau. From here you see Tibetan snowcapped peaks. At night the lights of ZhangMu, the first Tibetan town north of the Friendship Bridge can be seen in the distance. The fortress was built by the Nepali army in 1854 to help in the attack of Bhot, a region in Tibet.
Trek to Gyasosakh (2900m, 4-5 hrs)
From the fortress, you follow the path through the gateway that is adorned with religious paintings and a colourful mandala on the roof. The trail ascends to the ‘way of the dead’, a route that was used when local people carried dead bodies to their religious funeral ceremony. The path passes through a dense, lush forest. Along the route you pass Tasitham, a charming village adorned with fluttering prayer flags. Your campsite is located on a ridge that overlooks the “white lakes”: rows of mountains, each divided by waves of clouds that create an illusion of beautiful white lakes.
Trek to Phunboche Dada (3800m, 5 hrs)
You continue trekking through thick forests of old twisted tree-trunks, draped in moss and numerous species of ferns and other flora. In the spring, the rhododendrons are in full bloom. From your campsite, the views of the Tibetan Himalayan range are breathtaking.
Trek to Bhairav Kunda Lake (4300m, 2-3 hrs)
Today is a short day and you hike through a rhododendron forest and after emerging from above the tree line, you contour around the side of the mountain up to Bhairav Kunda. This is one of the most sacred pilgrimage sites for Shamans. Every August during the full moon, devotees make their way to this holy mountain lake to worship and bathe. At 6966m Dorje Lakpa resembles an inverted shark’s tooth looming in the distance. Your campsite is beside the lake and a nearby gompa.
Trek to Chagam (2200m, 5 hrs)
In the morning, you take a half-hour walk up the hill above the lake for amazing views of the Langtang range to the west, and the Tibetan Himalayan range to the east. You trek through a rocky alpine environment and pass numerous mani walls made of stones carved with Tibetan Buddhist prayers. After a few hours hiking in this unspoilt area, there is a steep descent down the ridge towards the village of Chagam.
Trek to Listi (2180m, 4 hrs)
One of the highlights of this trek is a visit to an ani gompa (nunnery). You visit this nunnery that is home to 300 nuns. Some travel from as far away as Ladakh in India to study and meditate here. The layout of the village is unusual in that each nun has her own house, which painted in different colours, creates a colourful sight with red, yellow, green and white homes scattered around the hillside. Much of today’s walk is along steep terraces with wide-open views of the valley.
Trek to Borderlands (1900m, 5 hrs)
After Listi, it is a long, steep descent back to The Borderlands Resort. Along the route, you will pass houses that cling to the sides of the mountains and terraces with sheer drops. On the final approach to the Bhote Kosi, there are outstanding views of the valley. Upon reaching the river, you cross a small bridge over the Kaule Khola, a premier adventure canyon. You return to the resort in the afternoon: a perfect time to relax, have a drink and rest in a hammock after your long trek.
Drive to Kathmandu (3-4 hrs)
After lunch at Borderlands drive to Kathmandu. You have the morning free to relax and in the afternoon you are driven back to Kathmandu.
Departure
The last day and it is time to depart. Confirm your flight time with your leader who will arrange your transport to the airport. If you have some extra time to stay in Nepal and would like more information on what to do, your leader can help you with any arrangements you want to make.